Total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy for real-time imaging of nanoparticle-cell plasma membrane interaction

Ladan Parhamifar, Seyed Moghimi

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

    11 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    Nanoparticulate systems are widely used for site-specific drug and gene delivery as well as for medical imaging. The mode of nanoparticle-cell interaction may have a significant effect on the pathway of nanoparticle internalization and subsequent intracellular trafficking. Total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy allows for real-time monitoring of nanoparticle-membrane interaction events, which can provide vital information in relation to design and surface engineering of therapeutic nanoparticles for cell-specific targeting. In contrast to other microscopy techniques, the bleaching effect by lasers in TIRF microscopy is considerably less when using fluorescent nanoparticles and it reduces photo-induced cytotoxicity during visualization of live-cell events since it only illuminates the specific area near or at the plasma membrane.

    Original languageEnglish (US)
    Title of host publicationNanoparticles in Biology and Medicine
    Subtitle of host publicationMethods and Protocols
    EditorsMikhail Soloviev
    Pages473-482
    Number of pages10
    DOIs
    StatePublished - Aug 15 2012

    Publication series

    NameMethods in Molecular Biology
    Volume906
    ISSN (Print)1064-3745

    Keywords

    • Cell surface
    • Live-cell imaging
    • Nano-particles
    • TIRFM
    • Trafficking
    • Widefield microscopy

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Molecular Biology
    • Genetics

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